Page 59 - Bugle Autumn 2014

Major MJ Bartlett gives C Company order for the final attack
of the move to a rendez-vous with the lead elements and being led in by Recce to the forming up positions. A very quick move by the whole battlegroup meant that everyone was in place well before H-Hour, and ensured that the attack would take place during the dark,
taking advantage of our
night vision superiority.
The aggression and
desire to succeed was
evident throughout the
attack. Despite some
distance and a steep
slopes to cover before
hitting the objectives, the lead companies advanced under cover of effective fires before immediately taking the fight to the enemy. B company cleared a larger than
expected position in a well-defended location (I believe OC B Company is planning on framing the sketch map drawn by Recce showing a two man ‘OP position’) ensuring they were quickly able to provide direct fire support for C and A Company
as they echeloned through. The Anti-Tank platoon ensured that all reinforcing armour was destroyed before it got anywhere close to the Companies, and the enemy was successfully wrapped up before the
heat really kicked in.
Exercise ASKARI STORM certainly tested
the resolve and determination of the 3 Rifles Battlegroup and it will
prove an invaluable benchmark by which to fight contingency operations. In a battalion which had a high proportion of very new Riflemen without operational experience (around two thirds of the Riflemen in some of the companies had served less than a year with the battalion) the low-level skills, aggression and fighting spirit of the Riflemen were highlighted by BATUK as exceptional. An emphasis on the forward positioning of junior commanders allowed decisions to
be made quickly, and a high tempo to be maintained. Without doubt, a successful deployment for 3 RIFLES, and one which sets up the battalion for an excellent future. Capt James Reaney
OC Recce Platoon
the enemy was successfully wrapped up before the heat really kicked in
THE RIFLES
XXX 57